Sir Hugh John Macdonald, Premier of Manitoba, 1900

It was a treasured moment for the family. Hugh John Macdonald strode down Parliament’s aisle with his father, Sir John A. Macdonald, the younger Macdonald freshly-elected politician, too. Later, Hugh John tackled provincial politics.

Walking in the footsteps of a recognized parent can be a challenge; walking in the footsteps of Canada’s first Prime Minister must have been particularly difficult. Hugh John Macdonald may have followed Sir John A. Macdonald into law and politics, but he created his own individual destiny.

John Alexander Macdonald and his first wife, Isabella Clark, were the pleased parents of Hugh John Macdonald, born in Kingston, Upper Canada on March 13, 1850. Hugh John was the second son for the Macdonalds. The first boy, a toddler named John Alexander after his father, died in 1848. Ailing for many years, Isabella died when Hugh John was seven years of age. His father terribly busy with the political affairs of the country, the young boy was sent to live with Margaret and James Williamson, his aunt and uncle.

“First Ontario Rifles” in Manitoba

Hugh John Macdonald, son of Sir John A. Macdonald.
Library and Archives Canada/MIKAN 3480946

Receiving a good education – his uncle was a professor at Queen’s College and Presbyterian minister – Hugh studied at Queen’s and the University of Toronto, earning a Bachelor of Arts in 1869. The young man chose law as his vocation, learning the skills of a lawyer in Toronto and Ottawa. Before his training was finished, Macdonald enlisted in the military during the Red River Rebellion, against his father’s advice. Signing up with the First Ontario Rifles for the Wolseley Expedition, the troop headed west to Manitoba. “… when they arrive, it is discovered that Riel has already evacuated Upper Fort Garry, and the fort is retaken without firing a single shot,” said the Manitoba History Society in “Memorable Manitobans: Hugh John Macdonald (1850-1929).”

Returning to Ontario, Macdonald completed his legal studies. The new lawyer was called to the Bar in 1872. He joined his father’s Toronto law firm of Macdonald, Patton and Macdonald. Thriving in the legal sector, Macdonald held his post for ten years.

Hugh John Macdonald’s Family

In 1876, Macdonald married Jean Murray King of Toronto, and the pair welcomed their daughter, Isabella Mary, in 1877. The apple of her parents’ eyes, the baby was given the pet name of “Daisy.” Unfortunately, Jean died three years later. Looking for a fresh start, Daisy’s forlorn father decided to move to Winnipeg in 1882. Macdonald opened a new law firm with several partners, Macdonald, Tupper, Tupper and Dexter. He also took a new bride in 1883, the young and beautiful Agnes Gertrude Vankoughnet..

Macdonald became a father for the second time in 1885, his new wife giving birth to a son. Baby John Alexander was nicknamed Jack. Growing up, Jack developed an interest in law like his father and grandfather; while considering a career in the legal field, Jack died of diabetes at the youthful age of nineteen.

After his son was born, Macdonald “served as lieutenant in the 90th (Winnipeg) Battalion of Rifles, a unit he helped to organize,” said Hal J. Guest in the Dictionary of Canadian Biography Online. Macdonald “saw action at Fish Creek (Sask.),” added Guest. His time in the military posts was brief, and in a few short years, Macdonald was ready for the challenges of government.

Father and Son Macdonald in Parliament

A great moment for the Macdonald clan came in 1891 when Hugh John ran as a Conservative candidate in the federal election. Winning his seat in Winnipeg, Macdonald gained a reputation as a calm-tempered, good-spirited gentleman of honour. Heading to Ottawa, “Hugh John is sworn in at the side of his father, the current Prime Minister, to cheers of all House members,” stated the Manitoba History Society. It was a treasured time for the new politician and his father – Prime Minister Sir John A. Macdonald died only months later.

The younger Macdonald remained in his federal seat for two years before stepping down. Enticed

Hugh John Macdonald with prominent Canadian politician Sir Charles Tupper.  Source: Library and Archives Canada/MIKAN 3260615

back into politics in 1896 by Conservative Leader, Charles Tupper, Macdonald won his seat again. In April of that year, he was appointed Minister of the Interior and Superintendent of Indian Affairs. New political horizons were glimmering in Macdonald’s future. The popular Macdonald stepped down from federal government and took on the leadership of the provincial Conservative party in Manitoba in 1897. The party prepared for the election to be held in two years.

Premier of Manitoba, 1899-1900

On December 7, 1899, Hugh John Macdonald became Premier of Manitoba. In a slim victory, Macdonald won his own seat in Winnipeg South by 60 votes. The Premier tackled the tough work of launching prohibition under “The Macdonald Act,” cut government spending, enacted tax laws and restructured voting procedures. Catching the eye of the federal Conservatives once more, Macdonald was enticed to return to the national arena. Leaving his Premier position, he ran against incumbent Clifford Sifton. Macdonald lost the race and withdrew from politics permanently to resume his law career. (He did not enjoy the public spotlight of the political theatre.)

Appointed Police Magistrate for Winnipeg in 1911, Macdonald’s “court was known for its fairness, its optimism and its humane respect of the individual,” noted the Historical Buildings Committee of Winnipeg in its report on Sir Hugh John Macdonald House. Macdonald spent some of his leisure time in sports, enjoying the field sports of cricket, lacrosse and football. Happy with his post-political life, Macdonald “blossomed in the public’s eye.” Without a doubt, a regal honour bestowed on Macdonald added to his pleasure – he was knighted on June 2, 1913.

“Dalnavert,” the Macdonald Family Home

Home of Sir Hugh John Macdonald and family in Winnipeg, Manitoba, now Dalnavert Museum

The family home was located at 61 Carlton Street in Winnipeg, a house built in Queen Anne Revival style under Macdonald’s direction in 1895. The beautiful brick home titled “Dalnavert” is now a museum and designated National Historic Site of Canada.

Sir Hugh John Macdonald died on March 29, 1929. While the son of Canada’s first Prime Minister may have followed in some of his father’s footsteps, Hugh John made his own fascinating marks in Canadian history.

Sources:

• “Memorable Manitobans: High John Macdonald (1850-1929),.” Manitoba History Society Accessed December 2, 2011
• Guest, Hal J., Dictionary of Canadian Biography Online, “Macdonald, Sir Hugh John” Accessed December 2, 2011
• Historical Buildings Committee of Winnipeg, Sir Hugh John Macdonald House
• Dalnavert Museum

This article first appeared on Suite101.com in December 2011.  Copyright Susanna McLeod